The trails

Seven of the park’s nine attractions (waterfalls, pools, gorges and viewpoints) branch off the clearly signed main trail that runs west of the park headquarters and visitor centre, along the Sok River. The first 3.5km constitute the interpretative trail described in Waterfalls and Gibbon Calls, an unexceptional ninety-minute one-way trail along a broad, road-like track. Most people continue along the river to Ton Kloi waterfall, 7km from headquarters (allow 3hr each way), which flows year-round and tumbles into a pool that’s good for swimming. En route, signs point to Bang Liap Nam waterfall (4.5km from headquarters), which is a straightforward hike; and Tan Sawan waterfall (6km from headquarters), which involves wading along a river bed for the final kilometre and should not be attempted during the rainy season. The trail to the rather spectacular eleven-tiered Sip-et Chan waterfall, which shoots off north from the park headquarters and follows the course of the Bang Laen River, is no longer much used and can be quite indistinct. Though the falls are only 4km from headquarters, there’s a fair bit of climbing on the way, plus half a dozen river crossings, so you should allow three hours each way.